"(T)he presence at the Victory Parade of a country that bombs cities, hospitals, and daycares, and which has caused the deaths and injuries of over a million people over three years, is a shame," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.
"According to the participants of the performances, their goal is to remind the civilized world of the barbaric actions of Moscow, which for many years and decades has systematically violated international law," a source in Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) told the Kyiv Independent.
"I have great hope that an agreement for a ceasefire in Ukraine will be reached this weekend," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 9, shortly before traveling to Kyiv alongside the leaders of France, Poland, and the U.K.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will arrive in Kyiv early on May 10.
The United States embassy in Kyiv on May 9 issued a warning that Russia could launch "a potentially significant" attack in the coming days, despite Putin's self-declared Victory Day "truce."
The sanctioned oil tankers have transported over $24 billion in cargo since 2024, according to Downing Street. The U.K. has now sanctioned more shadow fleet vessels than any other country.
Washington and its partners are considering additional sanctions if the parties do not observe a ceasefire, with political and technical negotiations between Europe and the U.S. intensifying since last week, Reuters' source said.
Polish President Andrzej Duda (L) listens to U.S. President Donald Trump speak during a joint news conference in the White House on June 24, 2020, in Washington, DC. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images)
Polish President Andrzej Duda urged U.S. President Donald Trump to increase economic pressure on Russia to force an end to its war against Ukraine, Politico reported on May 5.
Duda said the U.S. has tools that can effectively influence the Kremlin, arguing that only Trump has real leverage over Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"America can use various economic instruments to force Russia to respect certain actions," Duda told the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network.
He added that Trump has "the right tools to block Putin's fundamental interests" and is capable of implementing "very radical, very harsh" measures.
The call comes as Trump has repeatedly threatens to impose tariffs and sanctions on Russia but has yet to implement concrete measures since taking office.
Shortly after his inauguration, Trump warned Moscow that the U.S. could "do it the easy way or the hard way," referring to potential economic penalties.
Duda suggested that Trump has "seen the reality" after recent developments with Putin and is now positioned to push for serious negotiations.
Kyiv has long urged Washington to intensify pressure on Moscow. Trump himself has recently expressed frustration with Russia's unwillingness to negotiate, saying on April 26 that Putin might be "tapping me along" and is uninterested in ending the war.
"He (Trump) can see what his (Putin's) position is and to what extent he is ready to engage in serious talks about ending the war," Duda said. "The President of the United States has the means at his disposal to force Russia to comply."
Ukraine has signaled readiness for a full 30-day ceasefire since early March, contingent on reciprocal terms from Russia. Moscow has refused a full truce unless Ukraine accepts extraordinary concessions, including halting all foreign military aid.
Support for stronger measures is growing in Washington. At least 72 U.S. senators are prepared to back severe sanctions and steep tariffs targeting Russia and countries supporting its energy exports, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told reporters on May 1.
The proposed bill includes new penalties on Russia and 500% tariffs on imports from nations buying Russian oil, gas, or uranium if Putin avoids serious peace talks.
Trump, in a May 4 interview with NBC News, said the U.S. may consider additional sanctions if Russia does not agree to a peace deal with Ukraine.
Tim Zadorozhnyy is a news editor at The Kyiv Independent. Based in Warsaw, he is pursuing studies in International Relations, focusing on European Studies. Tim began his career at a local television channel in Odesa. After moving to Warsaw, he joined the Belarusian opposition media outlet NEXTA, starting as a news anchor and later advancing to the position of managing editor.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
